...PROLONGED SNOW EVENT... .A plume of snow will continue to impacted north central Idaho into west central and southwest Montana tonight. The snow activity will decrease in intensity during the day on Friday, then a second plume of precipitation will impact the region late Friday through Saturday. * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. There is a likelihood of major winter storm impacts. Total snow accumulations 2 to 6 inches in the valleys and 9 to 18 inches in the higher terrain including Lolo Pass. * WHERE...Highway 11 Pierce to Headquarters, Highway 12 Lowell to Lolo Pass, Elk River, Elk City, Pierce, and Dixie. * WHEN...From 4 PM this afternoon to 4 PM PST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday evening and Friday morning commutes, especially over higher passes.
The Payette River is a popular whitewater destination in Idaho, with the segment from the Nf Boundary on Lake Creek to Chinook Campground being a particularly thrilling run.
Wind
Humidity
The ideal streamflow range for this stretch is between 1,500 and 4,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), with the best time to tackle the rapids being in late spring to early summer.
This section of the Payette River is rated as a Class III-IV run, with a total segment mileage of approximately 15 miles. The river features several challenging rapids, including Staircase, The Notch, and The Sluice Box. These rapids offer significant obstacles and require experienced paddlers to navigate them safely.
There are specific regulations that must be followed when paddling this stretch of the Payette River. All paddlers must wear a personal flotation device (PFD) and helmets at all times while on the river. Additionally, boaters must carry a whistle and a throw bag. There are also restrictions on camping along the riverbank, with designated campsites available at Chinook Campground.
Overall, the Payette River run from Nf Boundary on Lake Creek to Chinook Campground is an exciting and challenging whitewater adventure. Paddlers should be experienced and prepared for the rapids and follow all regulations to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. Sources used for this information include American Whitewater and Idaho Whitewater.
| Last Updated | 2025-12-03 |
| River Levels | 1230 cfs (4.41 ft) |
| Percent of Normal | 56% |
| Status | |
| Class Level | iii-iv |
| Elevation | ft |
| Streamflow Discharge | cfs |
| Gauge Height | ft |
| Reporting Streamgage | USGS 13310700 |
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Chinook Campground
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Chinook
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Burgdorf
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Burgdorf Campground
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Lake Creek Dispersed Camping Area
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Jeanette Campground
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